The ‘Boys in Silver and Blue head east to Landover, Md, to face the their longtime rivals, the Washington Redskins. There’s no such thing as an easy game when these two teams meet, but I love our chances even though we’re playing on their turf.

Both teams are moving in completely opposite directions as the Cowboys have seen their fortunes rise while the ‘Skins, losers of five straight games, have fallen on hard times. Depending on what the Giants do today against the Eagles, the Cowboys could find themselves in first place in the NFC East with a win this afternoon. And even if the Giants pull out a win, we will still take a huge step toward securing a Wild Card spot.

Here are some note to get you all caught up before today’s action.

Cowboys backup quarterback Jon Kitna didn’t travel with the team to Washington on Saturday and will be inactive Sunday against the Redskins. Kitna didn’t practice Thursday or Friday because of a back injury. The Cowboys officially downgraded him from doubtful to out. That leaves third-string quarterback Stephen McGee as the backup to Tony Romo. McGee has been active for only three of the Cowboys’ nine games and has yet to play this season.

Felix Jones, who was the team’s lead ball carrier at the outset of the season, is expected to return to action after missing the last four games while recovering from a left-ankle sprain. While Jones was sidelined, Murray burst on the scene and revitalized the Cowboys’ inconsistent ground attack. Now that he’s back, the scope of Jones’ role is expected to be reduced.

The Cowboys have suddenly gotten on the right side of turnover margin. They’re plus-6 in the past two games, including six interceptions. Tony Romo has thrown only one interception in the past four games. The Redskins are minus-8 in turnover margin. They have not won the turnover battle in any game this season.

The Cowboys will be without a fullback as the ailing Tony Fiammetta will not suit up and the team decided not to bring up Shaun Chapas up from the practice squad to fill his spot. This could affect DeMarco Murray because the majority of his franchise-record 601 yards in the last four games has occurred with Fiammetta on the field.

Dez Bryant is very confident in the offense and says this is a different team than the one that squeaked out an 18-16 against the Redskins in week three.

Joe D’s Prediction: I expect the Cowboys to blow through Washington like a category five hurricane today and sweep the season series, leaving the devastated Redskins to lick their wounds.

LET’S GO COWBOYS!

* On a sad note, our condolences go out to Oklahoma State University who were rocked with grave news on Friday when it was learned that women’s basketball coach Kurt Budke and assistant Miranda Serna were killed in a plane crash. Our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and families of all the victims of this terrible tragedy.

I have invested so much time and attention since Dandy Don Days. I have to say, with a heavy heart, that I just don’t get the feeling that these Cowboys are inspired/invested anymore. I give the Cowboys my loyalty due to the fact that I have always done just that. No consistancy and the fact that Jerry Jones, and Steven, view themselves as the Cowboys more than the players, is disturbing and I really am losing my loyalty to ‘the Cowboys’
Good luck, I’ll be cheering Thursday as I have for 30 years+ now. If this team doesn’t get on track and beat some teams convincingly this year, I will sadly become a fan of a team that has heart, wants to win and has an ownership that doesn’t care who gets the credit for success.
I say this with sadness, much like an ultimatum in a relationship. My friends and family have always known that I am a true blue Cowboy fan, through thick and the 80’s. I will back the Cowboys as soon as they prove they have the offense they should be proud of. That said, this is the last year I will give blind faith. This is a business and I am ready to act as any savvy investor and the Jones family need to prove themselves this year. Go Cowboys!?

Curt, you saw 3 Super Bowls in 4 years because of Jerry Jones. Unfortunately Jerry thinks he coached and managed that run of success himself. That period is long gone as we the fans wait for the reemergence of a once very proud football franchise. As long as JJ owns the team sadly, the Cowboys will remain on the verge of success. He will never allow a big time coach to come in and establish a new regime. His head coach hiring decisions allow for him to still call the shots while puppets like Garrett, Phillips, Gailey and Campo continue this carousel of mediocrity. Frustrating! The team plays underachieving, uninspired football at times because, in my opinion, they lack well coached motivating leadership. I’m trying to remain patient with Garrett, but how long do Cowboy fans have to watch this team fall short?